Post by aggierattler on Oct 28, 2010 9:13:26 GMT -5
From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:
www.news-journalonline.com/sports/college/2010/10/28/b-cu-ready-for-close-up-with-nation-on-espnu.html
B-CU ready for close-up with nation on ESPNU
By KEN WILLIS, Sports columnist
October 28, 2010 12:05 AM
DAYTONA BEACH -- Followers of college football's second tier (formerly Division I-AA; formally the Football Championship Subdivision) have likely been wondering about what's behind Bethune-Cookman's turnaround this season.
They'll get their best chance yet to take a look for themselves tonight as B-CU, ranked 12th in the national FCS poll, plays North Carolina A&T at Daytona Beach's Municipal Stadium, and the game will be televised live on ESPN's college-dedicated channel, ESPNU.
"It's still football," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "You still have to play on a 100-yard field between the white lines. It hasn't disrupted us at all. We're getting prepared for the game and will be ready to play."
But even Jenkins, who insists on keeping outside distractions to a minimum -- or non-existent, preferably -- doesn't downplay the positives of the type of exposure only national television can provide.
"It's great national exposure for the program," he said. "Everyone will see what Bethune-Cookman is all about. They'll see the fan support, the alumni involvement. Any time you get on TV nationally, it's a good thing."
It'll be even better if the Wildcats can maintain their roll. The 'Cats weren't at their best this last Saturday, but the result was a victory at North Carolina Central and a still-spotless 7-0 record.
At first glance, tonight's game doesn't look like a tall hurdle for B-CU, given that the visiting Aggies are shackled to a 1-7 record. But the danger comes from N.C. A&T's new mindset, which took a certain turn for the better after finally getting its first win last week, beating Howard 52-32.
"We're getting better each and every week," said N.C. A&T coach Alonzo Lee, in his second year at the Greensboro school. "I'm more excited for (the players) to see the hard work finally pay off."
The Aggies' issues began in the preseason, when starting quarterback Lewis Kindle was lost for the season with an injured knee. The Aggies went through three quarterbacks before turning, of all things, to a standout on the A&T baseball team, senior George Hines.
Hines was playing well two weeks ago before leaving with a first-half concussion in a loss to Delaware State. Hines returned last week and led the Aggies to their high-scoring win over Howard. In his limited action, Hines has completed 15 of 23 passes for 257 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
"We have receivers that can catch it and outstanding running backs," Lee said. "We just haven't been able to get them the ball."
Even without the recent up-tick for N.C. A&T, Jenkins would likely tout B-CU's next opponent in the normal fashion. But in this instance, the normal "coach-speak" may ring true.
"They're a good football team and the record doesn't show it," Jenkins said. "Alonzo Lee is a good coach and I have a lot of respect for what he's doing. They'll fight and play to the finish. We'll be prepared."
www.news-journalonline.com/sports/college/2010/10/28/b-cu-ready-for-close-up-with-nation-on-espnu.html
B-CU ready for close-up with nation on ESPNU
By KEN WILLIS, Sports columnist
October 28, 2010 12:05 AM
DAYTONA BEACH -- Followers of college football's second tier (formerly Division I-AA; formally the Football Championship Subdivision) have likely been wondering about what's behind Bethune-Cookman's turnaround this season.
They'll get their best chance yet to take a look for themselves tonight as B-CU, ranked 12th in the national FCS poll, plays North Carolina A&T at Daytona Beach's Municipal Stadium, and the game will be televised live on ESPN's college-dedicated channel, ESPNU.
"It's still football," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "You still have to play on a 100-yard field between the white lines. It hasn't disrupted us at all. We're getting prepared for the game and will be ready to play."
But even Jenkins, who insists on keeping outside distractions to a minimum -- or non-existent, preferably -- doesn't downplay the positives of the type of exposure only national television can provide.
"It's great national exposure for the program," he said. "Everyone will see what Bethune-Cookman is all about. They'll see the fan support, the alumni involvement. Any time you get on TV nationally, it's a good thing."
It'll be even better if the Wildcats can maintain their roll. The 'Cats weren't at their best this last Saturday, but the result was a victory at North Carolina Central and a still-spotless 7-0 record.
At first glance, tonight's game doesn't look like a tall hurdle for B-CU, given that the visiting Aggies are shackled to a 1-7 record. But the danger comes from N.C. A&T's new mindset, which took a certain turn for the better after finally getting its first win last week, beating Howard 52-32.
"We're getting better each and every week," said N.C. A&T coach Alonzo Lee, in his second year at the Greensboro school. "I'm more excited for (the players) to see the hard work finally pay off."
The Aggies' issues began in the preseason, when starting quarterback Lewis Kindle was lost for the season with an injured knee. The Aggies went through three quarterbacks before turning, of all things, to a standout on the A&T baseball team, senior George Hines.
Hines was playing well two weeks ago before leaving with a first-half concussion in a loss to Delaware State. Hines returned last week and led the Aggies to their high-scoring win over Howard. In his limited action, Hines has completed 15 of 23 passes for 257 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
"We have receivers that can catch it and outstanding running backs," Lee said. "We just haven't been able to get them the ball."
Even without the recent up-tick for N.C. A&T, Jenkins would likely tout B-CU's next opponent in the normal fashion. But in this instance, the normal "coach-speak" may ring true.
"They're a good football team and the record doesn't show it," Jenkins said. "Alonzo Lee is a good coach and I have a lot of respect for what he's doing. They'll fight and play to the finish. We'll be prepared."
Nothing on this game in the News-Record's gameday online edition...as usual. 
